T20 Blast champions Gloucestershire have signed D'Arcy Short for their title defence, where he will play alongside his Western Australia team-mate Cameron Bancroft.
Short is a two-time Big Bash League player of the tournament, and won 23 T20I caps for Australia between 2018 and 2020. He has previously played in the Blast for Durham (2019) and Hampshire (2021) and is due to be available throughout the group stages, which start next week.
"I can't wait to join the reigning Blast winners, Gloucestershire, for the 2025 T20 Vitality Blast," Short said. "They are a well-run club and I can't wait to meet the players, the rest of the club, and be a part of their success in 2025."
Mark Alleyne, Gloucestershire's coach, said: "We are so pleased to get D'Arcy over the line… He brings a batting versatility with him, being brilliantly effective from No. 1-6, and offering spin options in the Powerplay and middle. D'Arcy complements everything we are about and [we] can't wait to get him on board."
Durham, one of Short's former clubs, have also announced an overseas signing for the Blast, with New Zealand's James Neesham agreeing a deal which will see him play alongside compatriot Zak Foulkes. Durham will become Neesham's sixth county, after stints with Derbyshire, Essex, Kent, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
"I am really looking forward to playing for Durham this summer," he said. "The Vitality Blast is one of my favourite competitions and I have heard good things about the Durham squad. I look forward to getting stuck in with the lads in a few weeks."
Marcus North, Durham's director of cricket, said: "Jimmy is an experienced international T20 allrounder with a proven track record of delivering performances for New Zealand and in franchise competitions around the world. His ability to influence games either with the bat or ball provides us with a proven matchwinner."
The rearranged IPL dates will affect availability for some players at the start of the Blast. Mitchell Santner, who is playing for Mumbai Indians, is likely to arrive late at Surrey, while Yorkshire and Warwickshire have lost Jonny Bairstow and Richard Gleeson respectively to late replacement deals with the same franchise.
Elsewhere, Warwickshire have announced that Australia's Laura Harris will represent the Bears in the inaugural women's Blast this year. "I've heard fantastic things about the team environment and the passion of the supporters," Harris said. "I'm eager to get started, contribute on the field, and hopefully play a big role in a successful campaign."